The Zanzibar Serena Inn has a superb location in the Shangani area of Stone Town. The main building was originally the External Communications headquarters, built in the early 20th century by the British colonial administration. The next-door house is much older and was originally known as the Chinese Doctor's Residence. The explorer David Livingstone stayed here before one of his journeys to the African mainland. Now, both of these buildings have been sensitively and superbly converted into arguably Stone Town's top hotel.
Perched on the edge of the Indian Ocean, the Serena Inn is luxurious and enticing. Large studded doors lead you through to marble floors, intricately carved staircases, Arabic arches and international-style rooms. All rooms are en suite and air conditioned and many have spectacular sea views. There is a beautiful terrace with large swimming pool, fine restaurant and coffee shop. All the staff are attentive and friendly. At dusk, big dhows often sail past the hotel — it's a beautiful sight. With Stone Town right on your doorstep the Serena is an ideal place from which to explore.
Speak to someone
who's been there
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Zanzibar Archipelago specialists
-
617-223-4521617-223-4325
- Make an inquiry
Photos of Serena Inn
-
![Zanzibar Serena Hotel, Stone Town]()
Zanzibar Serena Hotel, Stone Town -
![Room at Zanzibar Serena Hotel]()
Room at Zanzibar Serena Hotel -
![Prime sea view room at Zanzibar Serena Hotel]()
Prime sea view room at Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Tour ideas in Stone Town
Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Serena Inn as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.
-
![Zanzibar Palace Hotel, Stone Town]()
Zanzibar Palace Hotel
Stone Town
Experiences while staying here
The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you’re staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident’s eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area’s inhabitants.
-
Jozani Forest Tour ![Kirk's red colobus monkey, Jozani Forest Tour]()
Jozani Forest Tour
Jozani Forest Tour
You walk through the nature trail of the forest which is a habitat for many species of animals and birds. It is famous for its red colobus monkey — a very rare species.
View details -
Sailing Safari ![Zanzibar Island, Tanzania]()
Sailing Safari
Sailing Safari
The bay has a number of uninhabited islands and sandbanks and is frequented by humpback and bottlenose dolphins.
View details
Stone Town and nearby places
- Chumbe Private Island 9 miles away
- Zanzibar Island 12 miles away
- Zanzibar beaches 25 miles away
- Mnemba Private Island 28 miles away
- Pemba Island 83 miles away
- The Mafia Archipelago 124 miles away